newbie's rod/reel dilemma

I like the rod floats. a half circle of pipe tubing, ziptied to the rod.

it is no big deal on a casting rod that is used for jigging or trolling,
but for a rod you are using to cast with it might be an issue.

I lost a rod with a cabezon (big one!) attached last year and was able
to dive in and retrieve it while it bobbed on the surface.

I actually stopped mid post and put on a little more flotation on my kunz stick
(at least it is all black) as erik made it so it woud float a 6500 and 4oz.

but somebody just gave me a 6oz diamond bar...

btw, bass pro shops sells rod floats now. they re just slender tubes of foam.

yes.. I love foam... 

tote, you might go with that as leashes are no fun at all.

Thanks Guys,

This is just what I needed!  I'll be shopping this week for my first non-spinning rod/reel!  I'm not planning to turn in my spinners, fresh or surf, but it seems like it's time to start learning about "how the other halk lives"!  You guys are great!

Rick

What are you planning to fish for?

For my money, I'd go with one of the ABUs, with a seven foot or longer Ugly Stick. Those little reels are a good value, fit in the hand really well, and operate smoothly. Alan Tani can show you how to upgrade that reel with an even smoother drag, but they're good right out of the box. I'd use 15 pound test, and that's all you need for most species around here, certainly rockfish/halibut/salmon.The Penn 500s are solid reels, if a bit cruder, but I find them a bit bulky. The 501 narrow spool version is better, but you'll have to look for a used one. The plastic spools are junk; you'd want an upgraded spool. Your price range might seem to limit your choices a bit, but it's all for the good because kayak fishing is hard on gear, and you are wise to get mid range stuff.

Good luck

I agree with Paul about not using the best reels to fish out in a kayak.  But, I use 25 to 30 lb. test mono (30, 50 ot 65 braid) for rockcod becuase if I hook a ling.  I want to make sure I get it in the Yak.

Ken kickfish

OOooops re-read the original.  Abus are my favorite for rockies.  Get one with a thumbar.  50# spectra rocks!

I lost a shimano calcutta b attached to a 7' seeker rod in the mouth of the Eel river last summer and swore off any gear with a hefty price tag. I like the ABU 6600 but also my spinning sedona for rivers. I still salivate at the shimano case down at Englunds marine but go with a penn 500 on an ugly stick with mountable linecounters.

we're talking light tackle shallow rock cod? 

i would start with an old used 4:1 penn jigmaster 500, though i've seen them new for as low as $45 at sportmart.  add a narrow spool kit for $30, a jigmaster power handle for $13, a stainless steel gear sleeve for $15, grease the screw holes, grease the drags, lube the bushings (no bearings here), and load it up with straight 20, 25 or 30# mono or straight 50# spectra.  for the rod, i like the shimano trevala, your personal preference for length and weight. 

Thanks for the info!

I've been looking around, and at least now I know that there is a difference between a baitcaster and a conventional reel.  Who'd a thunk it?

So, now what I'm wondering is, if I get a conventional, how limiting is it to not be able to cast them?  As a trout/bass guy, it's hard to imagine not needing to do so.  As such, I'm leaning toward the Cardiff/Induron side of things(Hippo @ Hi's says he's had too many returns on the Cardiff, and has suggested the Okuma).  Am I being concerned over nothing?  The bearing-free aspect of the Penn 500 that Alan suggests is a really good selling point.

Help?

Thanks,

Rick

Highly unlikely you will need to cast for most things in the ocean. I think I have cast out a few times to get closer to a rock for rockcod fishing but it is mostly vertical jigging or trolling in the ocean for me.

I don't think I would cast with braid.  You will get a nasty birdnest.   You may get away with it for a few times.  But, ir will happen.  After that happens...you will have to get out your knife.  Your in a yak....just paddle closer.

Ken kickfish

there are times casting does help, like if you are fishing santa cruz with a swimbait, you cast it out,
bounce/swim it back. cover more ground, the bottom is kind of flat with some boulders, there's
not a lot of snags there.

also you can cast up drift so it hits bottom as you drift over it.

but mostly casting is just good practice for other places and just fun.

I have about 7 ambassadeurs, 2 of them I removed the level wind with a kit.
mainly for fun. the long distance casters do that to their reels. most
of mine are spooled with braid and I do cast with the level wind and
non-level wind versions.

If you like to cast, you should get a reel you will enjoy casting.

They do cast jigmasters and you can replace the bushings with bearings if you
want. It is just kind of a heavy reel, over 20 ounces.

for comparison, an abu 5500 without the level wind is around 10 ounces.

but in the end it doesn't matter too much. you might be sweating it too much.

you could use a handline and probably catch plenty rockfish.

J

The old penns my grandad gave me lasted through 30 years fishing kelp beds from a dive yak     Zero problems and easy to pull apart and clean up

Fishing salmon and stripers I always used lighter tackle A lot of back of the surf fishing in the 80s-90s and those reels didn't do so well  We're talking major salt h2o exposure My favorite steelhead reel(not penn or shimano) is now a rusted piece of crap that I doubt even Alan could revive

Where I differ from Alan(and he knows reels) is I like fishing with gear I like    This would be shimano

It's when a big wild fish is talking to you through your hands and rod and reel that's what it's about

Shimano does that well and holds up pretty well for a decent pricetag  Although Alan's seen the inside of some of my reels and I'm sure he's gonna disagree

Oh well it gives you the chance to go down and shoot the shit with him once in a while

Shimano needs to make a reel that can take the serious salt exposure fishing from a yak

I give the vote for Shimano rods for sure, although if ugly sticks came in a light 10fter I'd give it a try     I've used the stubby one for rockies halibut and salmon    Bullet-proof, just not my cup of tea

Thanks guys!

I am set up with my rod/reel now!  I ended up getting a TR100G, spooled w/40#powerpro, and a 7'6" Clarus bass flipping rod(CSC768).  I went to Hi's, and talked to Heiko (sp?).  He was a ton of help, and pulled out about 10 rods to show me the differences.  I went in to get a trevala rod, and think he sold me something better for my boat and what I want to use it for, and for less money!  That is the kind of service that will keep me coming back.

Also, I couldn't pass up the deal Mooch gave me on a SL-X20SH.  It's a bit big for what we're talking about here, but will be great for Baja and San Diego(my girl just got into UCSC for grad school), and my surf rod.  A really nice reel.  Good to talk to Mooch, too.  Every time I talk to one of you guys, I am surprised @ how helpful you'all are!

Rick

It was nice chatting with you too Rick! If you want to test drive a couple of yaks, I have a Prowler 15 and a Malibu X- Factor. I usually fish the local lakes on the weekends for now and will be switching over Salmon in April. Just keep an eye on the hook-up section and feel free to tag along - I can carry both yaks on my truck.

Enjoy the reel and welcome to the madness